Charter One Realty Blog

What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer Ends

As summer comes to a close, is it time to think about selling your vacation home? Based on recent data and expert opinions, it’s something you may want to consider. According to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), vacation home sales are up 57.2% year-over-year for January-April 2021.

If you’ve taken your last vacation this summer, here are reasons you should consider selling your vacation home this year.

1. Remote work continues to drive demand for vacation homes.

As the report from NAR says, based on continuously evolving work needs, there could be more interest in your second home than you think:

“In 2020, across all nine divisions, the fraction of the workforce that work from home is typically higher in…

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What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls by comparison.

Generally speaking, when rates are low, you can afford more home for your money. That’s why experts across the industry agree – today’s low rates present buyers with an incredible opportunity. Here’s what they have to say:

Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, points out the historic nature of today’s rates:

“As the economy works to get back to its pre-pandemic self, and the fight against COVID-19 variants unfolds, owners and buyers continue to benefit from some of the lowest mortgage rates of all-time.”

Mark Fleming, Chief…

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2021 Lowcountry Fall Food Events in Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and Beaufort

With the unofficial end of summer nearing, we are getting excited about the new season and cannot wait for upcoming Lowcountry fall events! September kicks off the Food and Wine event season featuring some of our delicious seasonal seafood. We’re ready to make the most of our gorgeous Lowcountry autumn weather and taste and toast to our heart’s content!

From fall events on Hilton Head to festivals in Bluffton and foodie days in Beaufort, there is something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if it’s a golf cart ride or a car ride trip across town, it’s time to start planning and purchasing tickets! Check out upcoming events happening soon! 

2021 Fall Food Events in Bluffton

In just over a month, the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival is…

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The Best Lowcountry Activities for Kids 2021

Parents know it can be quite hard to fill the kids’ schedule with activities that stimulate their minds and burn energy. Pool days and movie nights are fun, but when you need to change things up, you can use our list of the best Lowcountry activities for kids. 

While we love our regular strolls, bike rides, and picnics in the neighborhood sometimes we need something more exciting for the kids. Now that school is back in session, making the most of the weekends means discovering all the awesome kid-friendly activities in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort.

From fun museums to boat rides to outdoor playgrounds (keep the young ones occupied for hours), there is something for everyone, even the adults. Read more for some great weekend activity…

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Charter One Realty Expands Its Beaufort, SC Location

Charter One Realty has expanded its footprint in Beaufort, SC, with a move into a completely renovated space located in the Historic Downtown District. In March of 2021, after nearly doubling the number of agents in the Beaufort area, the brokerage announced its move to a larger office space to support the rapid growth of the business in the Beaufort Market.

The brand new Charter One Realty Beaufort office is now officially open after a ribbon-cutting celebration on July 22nd. Our stunning new office in the heart of Downtown Beaufort offers a welcoming, state-of-the-art location for our seasoned agents to best serve the local community. 

Did you know this office, located in a historic building at 203A Carteret Street between Bay and Port…

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What Does Being in a Sellers’ Market Mean?

Whether or not you’ve been following the real estate industry lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house?

It starts with the number of houses available for sale. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows housing supply is still astonishingly low. Today, we have a 2.6-month supply of homes at the current sales pace. Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a ‘normal’ or ‘neutral’ market in which there are enough homes available for active buyers (see graph below):

When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is right now,…

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Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of Demand

One of the major questions real estate experts are asking today is whether prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home makes sense. Some claim rapidly rising home prices are impacting demand and, by extension, leading to the recent slowdown in sales activity.

However, demand isn’t the real issue. Instead, it’s the lack of supply (homes available for sale). An article from the Wall Street Journal shows this is true for new home construction:

“Home builders have sold more homes than they can build. Now they are limiting their sales in an effort to catch up.”

The article quotes David Auld, CEO of D.R. Horton Inc. (the largest homebuilder by volume in the United States since 2002), explaining how they don’t have enough…

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Fall Gardening Tips: Lowcountry Garden Ideas

This summer feels hotter than ever and your plants are likely showing signs of overheating! If you’re as ready for Fall as we are, you are in the right place. It’s time to prepare our gardens for the new season, so we’ve gathered fall gardening tips to get your space in tip-top shape! 

A new season is all about planning. If your family has a lot of travel plans scheduled, or you’re busy at work planning 2022, you might need to simplify and consider an easy-to-maintain fall garden. 

For those who want to get their hands dirty frequently, now is the time to plan what you want to harvest from your own yard. Always be sure to check the specific hardiness zone for your home, then get started planning and planting! 

Fall is all about creating depth.…

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The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – renovate before selling.

Here are some considerations a professional will guide you through:

1. With current supply challenges, buyers may be willing to take on projects of their own.

A more balanced market typically sees a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Above that, and we’re in a buyers’ market. Below that, and we’re in a sellers’ market. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), our current supply of homes…

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A Look at Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for Sellers - August 2021

When you hear the phrase home price appreciation, what does it mean to you? Through context clues alone, chances are you know it has to do with rising home prices. And as a seller, you know rising home prices are good news for your potential sale. But let’s look past the dollar signs and dive deeper into the concept. To truly understand home price appreciation, you need to know how it works and why it matters to you.

Investopedia defines appreciation like this:

“Appreciation, in general terms, is an increase in the value of an asset over time. The increase can occur for a number of reasons, including increased demand or weakening supply, or as a result of changes in inflation or interest rates. This is the opposite of depreciation,…

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